HS-ESS1-2 | Big Bang Theory
From NY Science Standards Wiki
Construct an explanation of the Big Bang theory based on astronomical evidence of light spectra, motion of distant galaxies, and composition of matter in the universe.
Clarification statement: Emphasis is on the astronomical evidence of the red shift of light from galaxies as an indication that the universe is currently expanding at an accelerated rate, the cosmic microwave background as the remnant radiation from the Big Bang, and the observed composition of ordinary matter of the universe, primarily found in stars and interstellar gases (from the spectra of electromagnetic radiation from stars), which matches that predicted by the Big Bang theory (3/4 hydrogen and 1/4 helium).
Note: this is a performance expectation for both HS Earth & Space Science and HS Physics. For physics, the focus is "connection to wavelength and frequency of light, formation of stars" as per the NYSED physics course map.
Reference Tables
Relevant reference tables:
- Portion of Electromagnetic Spectrum Related to Earth and Space Sciences
- Emission Spectra of Some Elements from Stars
Assessment
What assessment of HS-ESS1-2 might look like on a NY state exam.
Physics
| Exam | Cluster | Question |
|---|---|---|
| June 2026 | Emission Spectra and Nuclear Fusion | Question 21 |
Earth & Space Science
Performance Level Descriptions
PLDs communicate the knowledge and skills expected of students to demonstrate proficiency in each Learning Standard. NYS assessments classify student performance into one of five levels.
☐
Level 1: Identify the evidence, from those provided, that supports the Big Bang theory, based on astronomical evidence.
☐
Level 2: Identify the explanation, that supports the Big Bang theory based on astronomical evidence of light spectra or motion of distant galaxies or the composition of matter in the universe (Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation (CMBR)).
☐
Level 3: Construct an explanation of the Big Bang theory based on astronomical evidence of light spectra, or motion of distant galaxies, and/or the composition of matter in the universe (Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation (CMBR)).
☐
Level 4: Construct an explanation of the Big Bang theory based on astronomical evidence of light spectra, motion of distant galaxies, and composition of matter in the universe.
☐
Level 5: Construct an explanation of the Big Bang theory using multiple sources, based on valid and reliable evidence of energy from light spectra, motions of distant galaxies, and the composition of matter in the universe (Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation (CMBR)).
Vocabulary
Terms that come from this standard or from the released exam questions that assess it, listed by subject. Physics terms are from the Physics Glossary; Earth & Space Science terms are from the Earth & Space Science Glossary.
Physics
From this standard
- astronomical evidence
- atomic nuclei
- Big Bang theory
- brightness
- characteristic frequencies of light
- composition of matter in the universe
- cosmic microwave background
- distances from Earth
- electromagnetic energy
- electromagnetic radiation
- emit and absorb
- energy
- energy cannot be created or destroyed
- engineering
- evidence
- expanding universe
- field
- frequency
- galaxy
- heavier elements
- helium
- hydrogen
- interstellar gases
- investigation
- iron
- light
- light spectra
- massive stars
- mechanism
- motion of distant galaxies
- nuclear fusion
- object
- ordinary matter
- primordial radiation
- radiation
- receding galaxies
- red shift
- remnant radiation
- scientific theory
- simulation
- solution
- spectra of electromagnetic radiation
- star
- supernova
- support (a claim)
- system
- theory
- universe
- wavelength
From released exam questions
- Doppler shift – June 2026
- emission spectrum – June 2026
- relative motion – June 2026
- spectral line – June 2026
Earth & Space Science
From this standard
- astronomical evidence
- atomic nuclei
- Big Bang theory
- brightness
- characteristic frequencies of light
- composition
- composition of matter
- compositional elements
- cosmic microwave background
- Earth
- electromagnetic energy
- electromagnetic radiation
- expanding universe
- galaxy
- heavier elements
- helium
- hydrogen
- interstellar gases
- iron
- light spectra
- massive stars
- model
- motion
- motion of distant galaxies
- natural systems
- nuclear fusion
- observation and experiment
- observations
- ordinary matter
- peer review
- primordial radiation
- radiation
- receding galaxies
- red shift
- remnant radiation
- scientific theory
- stars
- supernova
- universe
- wavelength
From released exam questions
- absorption lines – June 2026
- age of the universe – Jan 2026, Aug 2025
- apparent brightness – Aug 2026
- blue-shift – Jan 2026
- Cepheid variable – Jan 2026
- constellation – Aug 2025
- corona – June 2026
- density – Jan 2026
- elements – Aug 2026, Jan 2026, Aug 2025, June 2025
- extrasolar planets – June 2026
- Hubble's Law – June 2025
- inflation – Jan 2026
- infrared radiation – June 2026, Aug 2025
- Leavitt's Law – Aug 2026
- neutron – June 2025
- neutron star – June 2026
- observable universe – Jan 2026
- proton – Jan 2026, June 2025
- radio telescope – Aug 2025
- recessional velocity – Aug 2026, June 2026, Jan 2026, June 2025
- spectrograph – Aug 2025
- subatomic particles – June 2025
- ultraviolet radiation – Aug 2025
- velocity – Aug 2026, June 2026, Jan 2026, June 2025
- visible light – June 2026, Aug 2025
NGSS Dimensions
Performance expectation HS-ESS1-2 was developed using the following elements from the NRC document A Framework for K-12 Science Education:
Science and Engineering Practices
- Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
- Construct an explanation based on valid and reliable evidence obtained from a variety of sources (including students’ own investigations, models, theories, simulations, peer review) and the assumption that theories and laws that describe the natural world operate today as they did in the past and will continue to do so in the future.
- Scientific Models, Laws, Mechanisms, and Theories Explain Natural Phenomena
- A scientific theory is a substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world, based on a body of facts that have been repeatedly confirmed through observation and experiment and the science community validates each theory before it is accepted. If new evidence is discovered that the theory does not accommodate, the theory is generally modified in light of this new evidence.
Disciplinary Core Ideas
- ESS1.A: The Universe and Its Stars
- The study of stars' light spectra and brightness is used to identify compositional elements of stars, their movements, and their distances from Earth.
- The Big Bang theory is supported by observations of distant galaxies receding from our own, of the measured composition of stars and non-stellar gases, and of the maps of spectra of the primordial radiation (cosmic microwave background) that still fills the universe.
- Other than the hydrogen and helium formed at the time of the Big Bang, nuclear fusion within stars produces all atomic nuclei lighter than and including iron, and the process releases electromagnetic energy. Heavier elements are produced when certain massive stars achieve a supernova stage and explode.
- PS4.B: Electromagnetic Radiation
- Atoms of each element emit and absorb characteristic frequencies of light. These characteristics allow identification of the presence of an element, even in microscopic quantities. (secondary to HS-ESS1-2)
Crosscutting Concepts
- Energy and Matter:
- Energy cannot be created or destroyed – only moved between one place and another place, between objects and/or fields, or between systems.
- Interdependence of Science, Engineering, and Technology
- Science and engineering complement each other in the cycle known as research and development (R&D). Many R&D projects may involve scientists, engineers, and others with wide ranges of expertise.
- Scientific Knowledge Assumes an Order and Consistency in Natural Systems
- Scientific knowledge is based on the assumption that natural laws operate today as they did in the past and they will continue to do so in the future.
- Science assumes the universe is a vast single system in which basic laws are consistent.
Page contributors: Conrad Richman, Caroline Leonard